Should we all be worried about AI?

By Scott Christie, non-executive director of Digital Innk

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the hottest topic in technology and business at the moment and is set to dominate the headlines for years to come. It will undoubtedly have an impact on not only business but also daily life and is arguably as large as the introduction of the Internet.

The fleet sector is at a tipping point where it must accelerate plans to implement AI or risk being left behind. Management teams should be making plans to implement AI into business processes within the next 18 months.

By enabling higher efficiencies and greater transparency between fleet operators, drivers, and the supply chain, AI will prove to be disruptive for the fleet industry. It will speed up the adoption of mobility as a service and produce more adaptable business models.

However, companies must be conscious of the ethical issues surrounding AI, covering a wide range of challenges, from data privacy to cybercrime.

To manage these challenges, it is essential that firms partner with the correct technology partners to ensure that AI is integrated and used ethically.

Data security is paramount in the fleet sector. AI technologies can collect, analyse, and process vast amounts of personal data. There is a risk of infringing on individuals' privacy rights and enabling surveillance.

Safeguarding personal data and ensuring transparency and consent is crucial, as is the need to ensure that confidential data is not passed to a third-party AI system without understanding the consequences and risks.

AI systems should be carefully monitored to ensure they do not compound or amplify existing biases. It can lead to discriminatory outcomes in areas such as hiring and lending, and if not adequately addressed, biased AI systems could perpetuate existing inequalities and reinforce systemic discrimination.

As AI systems become more autonomous and capable of making decisions without human intervention, concerns arise about the potential loss of human control.

There is a need to define appropriate levels of human oversight and accountability, particularly in critical domains like autonomous vehicles, medical or military applications.

Additionally, AI is currently prone to ‘hallucinating’, that is, the provision of completely fabricated information that looks highly valid.

Cybersecurity is a growing issue for UK plc. AI systems can be vulnerable to attacks, both in terms of data breaches and malicious manipulation.

Adversarial attacks can exploit vulnerabilities in AI models, leading to incorrect predictions or decisions. Ensuring the security and resilience of AI systems is crucial to prevent potential harm.

The impact of AI on employment is a complex and evolving topic. While AI and automation technologies have the potential to automate tasks and replace certain jobs, it is important to note that they can also create new jobs and enhance productivity in various areas.  

AI is more likely to transform jobs rather than entirely replace them. Specific tasks within a job may be automated, allowing humans to focus on higher-level tasks that require creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.

Engaging staff in this journey will be essential to ensure that talent is retained and technology is viewed positively.

It is crucial to upskill teams to enable them to use AI to complement their work.

Skills such as problem-solving, adaptability, collaboration, and continuous learning can be valuable in an AI-driven world. AI systems can augment human capabilities and improve productivity.

Learning to work effectively with AI and leveraging its strengths will enhance job performance and efficiency.

It’s likely that within a very short period, AI will become baked into daily business life – assisting to create emails and presentations – even as far as creating business proposals.

Firms should undertake a skills audit to identify the new job opportunities that AI will create.

Roles related to developing, implementing, and maintaining AI systems and jobs in areas like data analysis, cybersecurity, and human-AI interaction are expected to grow. Equally, jobs that involve human interaction, emotional intelligence, and creativity are less likely to be replaced by AI.

It's important to monitor industry trends, stay informed about technological advancements, and adapt to the changing job landscape. Being proactive, flexible, and continuously learning will help to navigate the impact of AI on the job market and identify new opportunities for career growth.

It will be essential to put in place the checks and balances that ensure that complex AI systems are accountable. Developing mechanisms to ensure transparency is essential to address potential ethical risks.

Many government agencies are contemplating AI regulation to deal with some of these risks, and it will be important to take into account such regulations in considering the best ways to adopt these technologies.

AI is utilised in the fleet sector for predictive maintenance, route optimisation, and risk management, analysing real-time sensor data to identify maintenance needs and optimise schedules but will continue to evolve in the delivery of enhanced outcomes in these and additional areas.

Addressing ethical risks requires a holistic approach from across the business. It involves establishing clear guidelines, regulations, and standards to ensure the responsible development, deployment, and use of AI while considering the potential impact on individuals, communities, and society as a whole.